The officials look at each other in confusion as Ministering Zhou stands up.
“His Highness said he can’t understand why the citizens of South Sea would waste food like this. “ Gu Nan Yi continues “All along His Highness’ journey out of the Capital, through three provinces, other than the last coastal city that was barely able to sustain themselves, LongXi province is experiencing severe drought this year, Longnan province’s roads have been cut off by floods, citizens of seven provinces are starving, hundreds of thousands of refugees are without food and shelter. His Highness has ordered relief assistance everywhere he has been but it was still not enough. Wanting to do everything to help, His Highness had ordered the whole convoy’s food ration to be decreased. Even His Highness’ meals consist of just grains in hope that every little bit can be spared to save another life. Who could imagine that upon arrival His Highness would be welcomed with dried fishes? These are too precious to waste so His Highness thank the citizens and will cook them for a meal in order to express his gratitude.”
Silence descended on the crowd as they look at each other, who could’ve imagined the royal envoys would collect that food to eat after saying such things. Minister Zhou expression has turned rigid and sullen.
“His Highness thank everyone for these gifts but would like to ask you all a question- as fellow countrymen, don’t you all feel it to be immoral to be wasting all these food when there are others who are starving and shivering in the cold? Is your conscience not pricked?”
The crowd begins to stir restlessly. When all the reasons for one’s righteous anger are taken away and suddenly labeled as shameless rioters, all the people felt lost along with empathy for their fellow countrymen who are suffering.
Helian’s mouth falls open as he looks at Ning Yi then Zhi Wei– it’s true that some of the areas are suffering a bit from disasters but didn’t you guys have Bird’s Nest Soup (a delicacy in Chinese cuisine) just yesterday? What is this about eating only rice? These Han Chinese are so scary!
“His Highness would also like to ask the local government officials– no disaster but report disaster, have food but report no food. Don’t you all feel guilty to the royal envoy who had come all this way to help with the disaster? Don’t you all feel guilty towards our Emperor who is laboring tirelessly in the Capital to find a solution to help the supposedly suffering South Sea area?” According to Zhi Wei, Master Gu was supposed to raise his voice here but unfortunately, the full effect wasn’t able to come through with Master Gu’s monotone style of speaking but luckily the words themselves had plenty of impact so it quickly causes an obvious commotion among the South Sea officials.
“Today we will finish eating the food the citizens gifted us before we leave this boat.” This is the first time Master Gu has said so many words so he impatiently finishes his long speech with “We invite Minister Zhou to come eat with us to be an example to the people of South Sea of the virtue of not wasting food. The Royal Envoy and Minister Zhou will be examples together. His Highness will personally set the tables, Official Wei will personally cook the food and we invite Minister Zhou to come up to the boat to start the cooking fire.”
“……”
Yan Huaishi who had been listening intently stumbled upon hearing Master Gu’s last sentence. Poor Helian who had finally managed to get himself vertical falls down again. Blinking in a daze, the South Sea officials turn to look at the already blacken face of Minister Zhou. They had wanted to intimidate the young prince and sit back to admire the Royal Envoy’s embarrassment but who knew they would be the one getting pushed into a corner with just a few words. Moreover, why are they not getting off a boat that is about to sink and waste time gathering up the thrown food? Even if they gather it why would you cook it? Even if you cook it then why would you ask Minister Zhou to start the cooking fire! What’s worse, is not like they can refuse–even His Highness is setting the table, what’s the big deal of asking you to start a fire? With such a lofty grand excuse, they can’t even complain the prince is being difficult. In front of 10,000 citizens, can you complain about starting a fire when a prince is willing to sacrifice his own food to save others? You don’t want to go on a sinking boat to start a fire? Then you obviously don’t care about the people! Then the reputation and status Minister Zhou had carefully built will crumble into nothing in an instant! Well played!
Minister Zhou’s face has turned rigid with frustration. He had not imagined the royal envoy would pull a stunt like this! He had set out to teach the royal envoy a lesson but now he is the one who has been backed into the corner. He put a hole in the boat but now he has to personally get on it. If it sinks then he will be placed in the embarrassing situation right along with the royal envoy. From this point on, the nickname Stove Fire Minister will follow him for the rest of his life.
Most of the officials in this area have some knowledge of the princes. When it comes Ning Yi, Minister Zhou only knows that Prince Chu is a playboy. Ning Yi hasn’t been at the forefront of the series of events that happened in the Capital this last year so Minister Zhu who is all the way in South Sea really has no clue of the inner workings. As for Wei Zhi, to Minister Zhou she is just an inexperienced kid who lucked out after winning the Emperor’s favor. Precisely because he underestimated Ning Yi and Zhi Wei so that’s why he dared to incite the citizens to come to make trouble. Who would’ve thought he ended up being the one caught in a sticky situation.
After issuing his invitation from the boat, Gu Nan Yi had no plans on giving Minister Zhou time to think it over and points at him from afar “His Highness said, if Minister Zhou has finished his book of The Journey Through Many Countries, then please come up to the boat as soon as possible.”
Minister Zhou instinctively throws the book in his hand on the chair prompting his man to quickly clear away the book, chair and overhead umbrella.
“Go get the boat repair team over here.” Stiffly, Minister Zhou orders his right-hand man “The boat will sink in another 15 minutes. Tell them to send everyone down into the water and be sure to fix the boat within that time no matter what they have to do. They need to at least make sure the boat won’t sink in 2 hours. I will have their heads if they let me fall into the water!”
“Yes, sir!”
With a cold snort, Minister Zhou smooth his shirt than raises his voice “Minister of South Sea, Zhou Xi Zhong along with all the officials welcome Prince Chu!”
The sea of people parted a path to allow Minister Zhou and the rest of the officials to kneel down to pay their respect.
Yan Huai Shi lets out a long sigh of relief– he had thought for sure that they would either get beat up by a mob or fall into the water. Who would’ve have thought there was a third choice and the fierce Zhou Bully would be willing to bow down.
All text copyright @ www.Ninja-Reflection.com
WOW! Great strategy! Thank you for the great translation! I am really enjoying this book.
Maravilha!!!!!!!
I recently found your blog and enjoy it immensely. The translations are such fun to read! Thanks a million, and I look forward to reading more in the future. 🙏
So fun to see them working together. They really are better together. This post and the last one made me hungry! LOL
Thank you for your continued translation. I LOVE it!
I really can’t wait for the next part, hope I comes soon. I know how hard the translation work is. Thank you so much for your efforts.